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Recent rumors and gossip about MLBen-usMarlins Park sculpture artist could block Derek Jeter’s bid to remove itMiami Marlins CEO and co-owner Derek Jeter’s desire to remove the home-run sculpture that sits in the outfield of Marlins Park could be thwarted by Red Grooms, the artist who designed it.According to a Miami Herald report, a Miami-Dade county official has indicated the artist who designed the $2.5 million sculpture has to effectively sign off on its removal per an agreement reached when public financing of Marlins Park was approved in 2009.Grooms plays a central role in Jeter’s stealth request to remove the seven-story sculpture titled “Homer,” which the county commissioned for the 2012 opening of the tax-funded ballpark in Little Havana. Grooms is a friend of former Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria, who recommended the renowned pop artist to provide the public artwork Miami-Dade required as part of the team’s 2009 deal for nearly $400 million in public financing.The removal of “Homer” comes with significant, not to mention costly, ramifications for the county if Grooms decided to “disavow” the 72-foot sculpture 21 Feb 2018 13:34:43 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/marlins_park_sculpture_artist_could_block_derek_jeters_bid_to_remove_it/s1_8061_25766504
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/marlins_park_sculpture_artist_could_block_derek_jeters_bid_to_remove_it/s1_8061_25766504Marlins Park sculpture artist could block Derek Jeter’s bid to remove ithttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/marlins_park_sculpture_artist_could_block_derek_jeters_bid_to_remove_it/s1_8061_25766504http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/a/ea81727e181ea2f0d335d0f322dfeeb1be6529f4/top_story/USATSI_10154592.jpgMLB considering letting trailing team bat anyone in ninth?Major League Baseball has been searching for ways in recent years to improve pace of play and inject more drama into games, but one idea that an MLB executive floated this week seems downright preposterous.During Tuesday’s edition of “The Rich Eisen Show,” Eisen revealed that he was told by an MLB executive that one idea that has been proposed to make baseball more exciting is to allow the trailing team to send any three batters it wants to the plate in the ninth inning. Here’s the full video where Eisen explains the details behind the seemingly ludicrous proposal: Imagine the Yankees being able to send Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton to the plate anytime they were trailing in the 9th inning? While the idea might excite some casual fans, you’re talking about changing the entire landscape of the game.As one of Eisen’s colleagues mentioned, what happens if a pitcher has a perfect game going? Should he be penalized for mowing through an entire opposing lineup for eight innings and only leaving himself the seve21 Feb 2018 13:08:14 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/report_mlb_floating_idea_of_letting_trailing_team_bat_anyone_they_want_in_9th_inning/s1_127_25766162
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/report_mlb_floating_idea_of_letting_trailing_team_bat_anyone_they_want_in_9th_inning/s1_127_25766162MLB considering letting trailing team bat anyone in ninth?http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/report_mlb_floating_idea_of_letting_trailing_team_bat_anyone_they_want_in_9th_inning/s1_127_25766162http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/6/7620f0edcf55f7d84b1833b7ffe2292de5f3e79a/top_story/10373973.jpgAnthony Rizzo: 'Awesome' teams wearing Stoneman Douglas capsThe massacre at Stoneman Douglas High School last week in which 17 students and faculty lost their lives hit extremely close to home for Anthony Rizzo, and the Chicago Cubs first baseman is 100 percent in support of Major League Baseball’s efforts to honor the victims. MLB announced this week that teams will honor those slain by wearing Stoneman Douglas caps on Friday before spring training games with the option to wear during the game as well. “It’s a tragedy. It was a tragedy that hit the state of Florida, where we have two teams, but obviously has very specific baseball connections,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said. “Really a very strong sentiment among the clubs that this was the appropriate thing to do immediately.”Rizzo, who grew up in Parkland, Fla., and attended Stoneman Douglas, praised the gesture, saying, “I think it’s awesome.” Rizzo left Cubs spring training last week to return to his hometown to lend any support possible. He spoke at a vigil for the victims, something he called “hardest thing 21 Feb 2018 12:08:35 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/anthony_rizzo_on_teams_wearing_stoneman_douglas_caps_i_think_its_awesome/s1_8061_25765649
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/anthony_rizzo_on_teams_wearing_stoneman_douglas_caps_i_think_its_awesome/s1_8061_25765649Anthony Rizzo: 'Awesome' teams wearing Stoneman Douglas capshttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/anthony_rizzo_on_teams_wearing_stoneman_douglas_caps_i_think_its_awesome/s1_8061_25765649http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/2/2250e417a264f899325d0108cea2aaaa0dbff8c2/top_story/10293162.jpgGary Sanchez in awe of ‘moon shots’ from Stanton, JudgeGary Sanchez joked Tuesday about being somewhat jealous while marveling at the hitting power of Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge during batting practice.“What can you say? Those guys hit moon shots and mine barely go over the fence,’’ Sanchez said while taking part in a batting cage session alongside Stanton, Judge and Jacoby Ellsbury, via the New York Post. Evidence of the two sluggers putting on a show during BP made the rounds on Twitter. Impressive, indeed.Sanchez obviously is no slouch when it comes to putting balls over the fence. After all, the Yankees catcher hit 33 home runs himself last season. But there is no doubt when it comes to power, Sanchez lags just a bit behind Stanton and Judge, who hit 59 and 52 round-trippers last season, respectively.It’s safe to say with the power hitters in the Yankees lineup that order has been restored to the baseball universe now that the Bronx Bombers once again are the Evil Empire, as CC Sabathia noted last month. Let’s just say beyond some joking jealousy, Sanc21 Feb 2018 10:02:36 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/gary_sanchez_in_awe_of_moon_shots_from_giancarlo_stanton_aaron_judge/s1_8061_25764326
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/gary_sanchez_in_awe_of_moon_shots_from_giancarlo_stanton_aaron_judge/s1_8061_25764326Gary Sanchez in awe of ‘moon shots’ from Stanton, Judgehttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/gary_sanchez_in_awe_of_moon_shots_from_giancarlo_stanton_aaron_judge/s1_8061_25764326http://www.yardbarker.com/media/f/e/fe817ba4b876108e3b33684ed4443ee13ea22741/top_story/10634131.jpgDavid Price warns JD Martinez that fans in Boston will boo himDavid Price and J.D. Martinez were teammates for a short time with the Tigers, and Red Sox fans might be surprised to hear that Price helped bring the slugger to Boston. But those fans probably won’t be shocked to learn what Price said about them and the way they treat their players.In an interview with Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Price once again spoke about how difficult it is to play for the Red Sox. It’s no secret that the left-hander has struggled to get along with the media and fans since he signed a $217 million contract before the 2016 season, and Price admits he warned Martinez the same could happen to him.“Oh yeah, he’ll get booed,” Price said “I told JD he will love the guys here in this clubhouse, but also told him he’ll get booed. He’s a quiet, soft-spoken guy, but he’ll handle it. Besides, everyone gets booed. I heard Big Papi (David Ortiz) get booed many times in Fenway.”Take it from someone who lived and died with the Red Sox during Ortiz’s career with the team — there were not many times wh20 Feb 2018 14:33:13 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/david_price_warns_jd_martinez_that_fans_in_boston_will_boo_him/s1_127_25757873
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/david_price_warns_jd_martinez_that_fans_in_boston_will_boo_him/s1_127_25757873David Price warns JD Martinez that fans in Boston will boo himhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/david_price_warns_jd_martinez_that_fans_in_boston_will_boo_him/s1_127_25757873http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/5/75bfcaffa8e49330578583c78235e74981da6f27/top_story/10219846.jpgYelich: ‘Everything changed’ for Marlins after Fernandez’s deathThe Miami Marlins have not reached the postseason since 2003, but one of their former up and coming stars believes all of that was about to change before tragedy struck the organization in September of 2016.Christian Yelich, who was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers this offseason after five years in Miami, told ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick this week that things went into a tailspin for the Marlins after Jose Fernandez tragically lost his life in a boating accident.“From talking to the guys there — the guys who got traded and some of the guys who are still there — the consensus from our clubhouse is that everything changed after the tragedy with Jose,” Yelich said. “I think everybody figured our window to win was with him. You have a bona fide ace, a No. 1 starter, and you kind of have something there with that. It’s nobody’s fault what happened. It’s a tragedy in every sense of the word. Nobody could have seen that coming.”The Marlins showed some signs of promise in 2016, and there’s no question Fernandez was one of 20 Feb 2018 12:37:17 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/christian_yelich_everything_changed_for_marlins_after_jose_fernandezs_death/s1_127_25756829
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/christian_yelich_everything_changed_for_marlins_after_jose_fernandezs_death/s1_127_25756829Yelich: ‘Everything changed’ for Marlins after Fernandez’s deathhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/christian_yelich_everything_changed_for_marlins_after_jose_fernandezs_death/s1_127_25756829http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/a/cafd62af5b7a95f3ff2cc34060e88156b8a8be70/top_story/9392787.jpgMattingly fires back at Harper over Marlins criticismMiami Marlins manager Don Mattingly has taken issue with Bryce Harper’s criticism of his team’s offseason moves, telling the Washington Nationals superstar to “take care of your own dugout.”The Marlins, under the leadership of new co-owner and CEO Derek Jeter, essentially orchestrated a complete teardown of the organization, jettisoning star players like Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna and Dee Gordon. Harper on Monday said he was shocked by the moves and suggested only a couple of pitchers could have transformed the team into a contender.Mattingly on Tuesday fired back at Harper, saying it’s “not really his place to comment on us.”“He doesn’t really know what goes on over here,” Mattingly said. “He may think he does. But he doesn’t know what the discussions are. He doesn’t know our players.”Harper was not the first person to deride the Marlins’ moves, nor will he be the last. Mattingly understandably does not appreciate outsiders criticizing his team, but decisions as profound as those made20 Feb 2018 12:12:38 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/don_mattingly_fires_back_at_bryce_harper_over_criticism_of_marlins/s1_8061_25756391
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/don_mattingly_fires_back_at_bryce_harper_over_criticism_of_marlins/s1_8061_25756391Mattingly fires back at Harper over Marlins criticismhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/don_mattingly_fires_back_at_bryce_harper_over_criticism_of_marlins/s1_8061_25756391http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/f/9f51c0c52c9c43f05544eb54101ca7cff8034037/top_story/10124326.jpgJ.D. Martinez signs with Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are believed to have had the best offer on the table for J.D. Martinez for quite some time now, and the free agent outfielder has finally accepted it.ESPN’s Pedro Gomez reported on Monday that Martinez has officially signed with the Red Sox. Jon Morosi of MLB Network was told Martinez’s contract is front-loaded and worth $110 million over five years. There have been reports for several weeks now that Boston’s offer to Martinez was in the five-year, $100 million range. We have also seen indications that he was frustrated with the Red Sox and seeking much more than that, but the market has apparently been set.Martinez, 30, hit .303 with 45 homers and 104 RBIs in 119 games with the Detroit Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks last season. He should provide the Red Sox with some desperately needed pop in the middle of their order.19 Feb 2018 17:43:05 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/jd_martinez_to_sign_with_red_sox/s1_127_25750769
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/jd_martinez_to_sign_with_red_sox/s1_127_25750769J.D. Martinez signs with Red Soxhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/jd_martinez_to_sign_with_red_sox/s1_127_25750769http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/b/ab66b741cfd614dd52bb550f8ca3da3ae8daf213/top_story/10243035.jpgVerlander speaks out against MLB rule changeIn hopes of picking up the pace of play, Major League Baseball made some strong rule changes on Monday. Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander is not pleased with one of the amendments.One of the rules states that teams will only be allowed six mound visits per nine inning games. This includes managers/pitching coaches going to the mound, and also teammates. The latter of which has Verlander a little concerned. The good news is that this has been covered. MLB did grant a special waiver for catchers to go out and confer with pitchers if there is a cross-up, as long as the umpire approves it.Still, there are two problems.One is that MLB umpires don’t exactly have the reputation for being the most mature people. Yes, that’s a blanket statement and no, it doesn’t apply to every umpire. But imagine getting late into a game when one or both teams has struggled with the strike zone. Chances are, that game will have included a lot of banter between the catchers and home plate umpire. If the team has already hit six 19 Feb 2018 15:30:49 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/justin_verlander_speaks_out_against_mlb_rule_change/s1_12680_25749812
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/justin_verlander_speaks_out_against_mlb_rule_change/s1_12680_25749812Verlander speaks out against MLB rule changehttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/justin_verlander_speaks_out_against_mlb_rule_change/s1_12680_25749812http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/7/276a32cd717c89060b552f659e0c01b2756b209a/top_story/10379770.jpgAnthony Rizzo opens up about vigil speech: 'Hardest thing I ever had to do'Last week, Anthony Rizzo attended a vigil for the 17 people who were slain during the mass shooting at Parkland’s Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. It’s the high school that Rizzo attended growing up, and he was understandably extremely emotional while speaking at the vigil.On Monday, back at spring training in Arizona with his Chicago Cubs teammates, Rizzo opened up about the speech, calling it the “hardest thing I ever had to do,” per Dan Cahill of the Chicago Sun-Times.
“You don’t know what to say. There’s nothing you can say. You’ve just got to be there for people in these times. There’s really nothing you can say and nothing you can do but be there and show them you care for them and you’re there for them.
“My first instinct was just kind of numb. I felt helpless here. That’s where I grew up. I got in trouble there; I succeeded there; I learned to be who I am because of Parkland.”
When news of the tragic shooting first broke last week, Rizzo used social media to call for a change. Since the19 Feb 2018 12:35:30 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/anthony_rizzo_opens_up_about_vigil_speech_8216hardest_thing_i_ever_had_to_do_8217/s1_12680_25748234
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/anthony_rizzo_opens_up_about_vigil_speech_8216hardest_thing_i_ever_had_to_do_8217/s1_12680_25748234Anthony Rizzo opens up about vigil speech: 'Hardest thing I ever had to do'http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/anthony_rizzo_opens_up_about_vigil_speech_8216hardest_thing_i_ever_had_to_do_8217/s1_12680_25748234http://www.yardbarker.com/media/8/0/8092271d92a7a1c73ea893a460577ec2bf674681/top_story/10372459.jpgBryce Harper won't answer questions about free agencyBryce Harper is likely in line for the biggest contract in MLB history if and when he becomes a free agent next season, but he wants reporters to know they are going to be wasting their time if they ask him about it.Harper held his first media session of the year on Monday, and he said any questions about his contract status or impending free agency should be reserved for his agent, Scott Boras.“Just want to let you guys know I will not be discussing anything relative to 2019, at all,” Harper said, per Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports. “I’m focused on this year. I’m focused on winning and playing hard, like every single year. So if you guys have any questions about anything after 2018, you can call Scott and he can answer you guys.”Harper is just 25 and has already established himself as one of the best players in baseball, so questions about his contract are going to pop up all season long. He doesn’t have to answer them, of course, but he can’t reasonably expect them to stop. Still, new Nationals manager Davey19 Feb 2018 16:23:23 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/bryce_harper_says_he_will_not_answer_any_questions_about_free_agency/s1_127_25750205
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/bryce_harper_says_he_will_not_answer_any_questions_about_free_agency/s1_127_25750205Bryce Harper won't answer questions about free agencyhttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/bryce_harper_says_he_will_not_answer_any_questions_about_free_agency/s1_127_25750205http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/d/1dd6a1e55af3c29357cbeb7b181845582216fb47/top_story/10332338.jpgJoey Votto is sick of losingJoey Votto is sick of losing.But really, who can blame him? Since he made his debut in 2007, the Reds have had just three playoff seasons, and each of them would end early. Plus, the Reds haven’t seen the playoffs since 2013. During his 11-year career, the Reds have had only three winning seasons–those playoff seasons.Of course, this has been through no fault of Votto. For the most part, at least.Over 11 seasons, Votto holds a triple-slash of .313/.428/.541. And over the past three seasons–between the ages of 31-33–he has averaged 32 home runs per season. To be fair, the knock against Votto (among Reds fans and certain old-school broadcasters) is that despite his impressive home run totals, he justdoesn’t knock in enough runs. After all, he has eclipsed the 100 RBI mark just three times in 11 years. But as we should all know by now, the RBI isn’t the end-all.Joey Votto remains one of the best hitters in baseball. He’s 34 years old, but is showing no signs of slowing down. Last year, for the fifth time in his 19 Feb 2018 12:07:17 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/joey_votto_is_sick_of_losing/s1_11773_25747454
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/joey_votto_is_sick_of_losing/s1_11773_25747454Joey Votto is sick of losinghttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/joey_votto_is_sick_of_losing/s1_11773_25747454http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/5/e52977d67fae0d2563675c28aad3119e98ea9245/top_story/10281950.jpgEvan Longoria feels ‘sorry’ for Rays fans after latest movesThe Tampa Bay Rays are cutting costs again, and for the first time, Evan Longoria is watching from afar and feeling sympathetic.Longoria, who was traded to the San Francisco Giants earlier on the offseason, said he felt “sorry” for Rays fans after they traded pitcher Jake Odorizzi and designated outfielder Corey Dickerson for assignment, likely with the intent to trade him. Dickerson was due roughly $6 million in 2018 after hitting .282 with 27 home runs and making the All-Star team last season.This isn’t the first time Longoria has been critical of the Rays for making moves like this. It must be disheartening to see a team dropping their payroll below $70 million when MLB’s revenues are at an all-time high. Given Longoria’s rich history and attachment to the franchise, you can understand why he’d be sad about it, too.18 Feb 2018 22:29:11 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/evan_longoria_feels_sorry_for_rays_fans_after_latest_moves/s1_127_25742708
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/evan_longoria_feels_sorry_for_rays_fans_after_latest_moves/s1_127_25742708Evan Longoria feels ‘sorry’ for Rays fans after latest moveshttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/evan_longoria_feels_sorry_for_rays_fans_after_latest_moves/s1_127_25742708http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/c/6ca9e97d8aab409c5cbf1c495cfde11a467d3e08/top_story/GettyImages-856405248.jpg‘No indication’ Royals are trying to re-sign Mike MoustakasWith Eric Hosmer headed to the San Diego Padres, there has been some speculation that the Kansas City Royals could try to bring back third baseman Mike Moustakas instead.However, there is no real indication that’s going to happen, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney, who reported Sunday that the Royals have yet to make any real effort to retain Moustakas. With few contenders in need of a third baseman, and those who do somewhat limited financially, there was some logic in thinking that Kansas City could try to hold on to the free agent. Things could change, but at this point, that doesn’t sound likely. It doesn’t really make a lot of sense from Kansas City’s perspective to take half-measures when, now that Hosmer is gone, a full rebuilding phase makes the most sense.Moustakas doesn’t really have a lot of options. He’s probably hoping one contending team ramps up their interest in the days to come.18 Feb 2018 22:29:01 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/report_no_indication_royals_are_trying_to_re_sign_mike_moustakas/s1_127_25740380
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/report_no_indication_royals_are_trying_to_re_sign_mike_moustakas/s1_127_25740380‘No indication’ Royals are trying to re-sign Mike Moustakashttp://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/report_no_indication_royals_are_trying_to_re_sign_mike_moustakas/s1_127_25740380http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/9/098a2e3d1e40b69f338193e3bad0e3d870ea577a/top_story/GettyImages-857056682.jpgMets GM on Tebow: 'I think he will play in the major leagues'Tim Tebow is back with the New York Mets for spring training, and team general manager Sandy Alderson has high hopes for his charismatic ace in the hole. Many will undoubtedly scoff at this statement, thinking it’s nothing more than a publicity ploy. After all, Tebow is a huge draw, even at the minor league levels, where he pulled in record crowds last year.That said, we can’t ignore the very real truth that Tebow actually got better last year the more he played. He finished his first season in the minors with a .226 average, eight home runs and 52 RBI. He also showed off some skills in the outfield and a flair for the dramatic.If he does continue improving and makes his way to the big leagues, then Tebow will likely break the Internet. He’s one of the most popular athletes in America, even if he is highly polarizing.Love him or hate him, it sure sounds like the Mets are really serious about someday featuring him on the big-league roster. So buckle up, sports fans. It’s going to be a wild ride.18 Feb 2018 22:28:51 -0500http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/mets_gm_on_tim_tebow_8216i_think_he_will_play_in_the_major_leagues_8217/s1_12680_25738247
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/mets_gm_on_tim_tebow_8216i_think_he_will_play_in_the_major_leagues_8217/s1_12680_25738247Mets GM on Tebow: 'I think he will play in the major leagues'http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/mets_gm_on_tim_tebow_8216i_think_he_will_play_in_the_major_leagues_8217/s1_12680_25738247http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/7/275f1e83ac8feb955cd5d94bdac034812b7c9bde/top_story/GettyImages-831170038.jpg